Historical review of Arkansas : its commerce, industry and modern affairs, Part 81

Author: Hempstead, Fay, 1847-1934
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publiching company
Number of Pages: 754


USA > Arkansas > Historical review of Arkansas : its commerce, industry and modern affairs > Part 81


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where he had removed from Shelbyville, Illinois, in 1856, and the ten years he spent there were devoted to the grocery business. During the Civil war he was in the military service of the state of Texas be- ing stationed for the most of the period upon the frontier as a protector against hostile and invading Indians. His remaining years in Arkansas were passed as a farmer.


James E. Reeves was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1829, and his demise occurred in Green Forest, Arkansas, in March, 1903. He married his first wife, Sarah Souther, in Shelbyville, Illinois, and she died while the family still resided in the Lone Star state. The issue of their union were as follows: Alice, wife of George Penley of Paoli, Oklahoma; Florence, wife of John Porter, of Green Forest, Arkansas ; Jack, also of this place; Roxie, who became the wife of William Emert and is now deceased; John, who resides at Paoli, Oklahoma; Margaret Porter, of Charleston, Illinois, daughter of Mrs. Porter, became the second wife of James E. Reeves. Surviving her husband, she is now a resident of Green Forest. The children of the second marriage of the subject's father are: Byrd, of Muskogee, Oklahoma; James B., of this notice : Ollie, wife of Thomas Stacy, of Rogers, Arkansas: Joseph, now a resident of Green Forest; Samuel, of Dawson, New Mexico; Daisy, wife of Lloyd Helmiek, now residing in Leslie, Arkansas; and Earl, who makes his home in Dawson. New Mexico. The Reeves family was founded in Ohio by Sammel Reeves, who went to Pickaway county, that state, from Connecticut. He died in 1831 and his children were as follows: Owen, Jesse, Turn, Jack, James, Mary, Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of James Foster; and Catherine, the only survivor, who married George Rateliff and makes her home in Little Rock, Arkansas.


The early years of James B. Reeves were passed amid rural sur- roundings and under his father's tutelage he received an excellent train- ing in agricultural matters. He received no other early educational discipline than that of the country schools and when he arrived at self- responsible age he engaged in farming. The rapid settlement and de- velopment of the country in and around Green Forest attracted his at- tention, and being a wide-awake young fellow it occurred to him as a good point at which to engage in contract work. While still upon the farm he began bidding on construction work of various kinds and finally, having demonstrated to his own satisfaction that it was his proper sphere of usefulness, he definitely divided his energies between farming and building, until in 1902 he deemed it expedient to give his whole attention to the latter.


The work of Mr. Reeves as a builder is apparent at many points in Carroll county, residences, business houses, churches and schools having arisen at his command. Among the monuments to his archi- tectural ability are the residences of J. L. Russell, Lee Smith, Herbert Shibley, Len Nunnelly, John Wells, W. R. Norris, and Harvey Villines, of Green Forest, while the handsome residence of Andrew J. Russell, of Berryville, and the Baptist church at that place were built under his enlightened supervision. The school houses at Oak Hill and at Douglass likewise give evidence of his efficiency as a practical builder. In the meanwhile Mr. Reeves has become identified with other important matters, but he continues his contract work, partly as a convenience to his mechanical force which has proved loyal to his contracts.


The canning industry of Green Forest, in which Mr. Reeves is an eminent figure, and whose existence is largely due to him, dates from 1902, when he installed a small hand plant of an output of about two hundred cans daily, upon his farm. The success of the young enterprise


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was remarkable and in the following year Mr. Reeves interested several others in the affair with the result that a power plant with a capacity of five thousand eans a day was installed and operated. The plant was located in some briek buildings near the depot and a large briek ware- house was added. The company received the appellation of the Green Forest Canning Company and was ineorporated with a capital stoek of twenty thousand dollars. The capacity of the plant is sufficient to handle any amount of fruit and vegetables likely to be offered by neighboring agrieulturists and the product has amply recommended itself. Thus far greater attention has been paid to fruit and tomatoes than to any other produce. It will be readily seen that such an institution is indeed a boon to local farmers, who in it find a convenient market for their produee. Mr. Reeves' idea has developed far beyond its original eon- ception and it is indeed gratifying to him that it has proved an insti- tution of such benefieent eharaeter. Its presence has stimulated truek growing around Green Forest, three hundred aeres being devoted to the raising of tomatoes alone. It has given labor to many persons, at eer- tain seasons the demand for labor being greater than the supply. From the middle of July when the plant opens, until the middle of October when the apple season is at an end, a hundred or more persons, chiefly young women, find daily employment in the eanning factory and when it is considered that the factory put into eireulation yearly something like sixty-five thousand dollars in Green Forest and the neighboring county its value as a wage-payer will be apparent. The offieers of the canning company are as follows: Benjamin Harbert, president ; T. S. Phillips, vice-president : Mike S. Coxsey, treasurer: and J. B. Reeves, secretary and manager.


Mr. Reeves is a notable figure in the National Canners' Association and he has frequently attended their annual meetings. At the con- vention held in Springfield, Missouri, in 1911, he represented the Mis- souri Valley Canners' Association. Mr. Reeves is a man of versatile abilities and he was for a time engaged in the lumber business in Green Forest, the lumber yard which bore his name having been recently dis- posed of to James H. Buell.


The marriage of Mr. Reeves was solemnized May 13, 1888, near Green Forest, Miss Julia Norris. daughter of George W. Norris, of whom extended mention is made in the review of Rufus E. Norris on other pages of this work, becoming his wife. Mrs. Reeves is a native of Carroll county, Arkansas. The children of this congenial union are as follows: Chester, whose interests are in mechanics; Vester, who is engaged in railroad service, in New Mexico, Ruth, George, and Frank. In 1911 the subjeet improved a plot of ground east of the corporate limits and there ereeted a commodious and beautiful resi- dence which the family occupies and which is the center of a gracious hospitality. Mr. Reeves is one of the most prominent of the lodge men of this part of Arkansas, being a Master Mason, a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and he holds the position of Past Coun- sel of the Woodmen of the World.


IION. HENDERSON MADISON JACOWAY. There recently took his place in the Sixty-seeond Congress of the United States, a young states- man of the type upon which the new south-west founds its hope,-the Hon. Henderson Madison Jacoway, representing the Fifth Congressional District of Arkansas. Mr. Jaeoway is particularly well fitted by nature and training for the duties of his office and combines in himself the theoretical and practical which produces the man who begets great


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ideas and knows how to make them realities. He has carried with him to the national Assembly well-defined and unalterable ideas of duty toward his constituents and is in refreshing contrast to the self-seeking type of politician who has proved the menace of modern society. In truth, he has been peculiarly snecessful in keeping his political record free of criticism. As a lawyer he has already taken rank among the most distinguished in the state and has given a "taste of his quality" as ineumbent of the important office of proseenting attorney.


Mr. Jacoway, who is the seion of an excellent Southern family, was born on the 7th day of November, 1872, in Yell county. Arkansas, the son of Judge W. D. and Elizabeth Davis ( Parks) Jacoway. The father, the late Judge Jacoway, was born in Tennessee and is one of Arkansas' early settlers. When a child he eame to the state with his father, B. J. Jaeoway, who became one of the most extensive of the planters of Arkansas in ante-bellum days, his lands lying in Yell county. He was widely known and of importance in public life. previous to the Civil war holding the office of United States Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas. When of sufficient years the sub- ject's father was sent back to the state within whose boundaries the ancestral home had been founded and he became a student in Cumber- land University at Lebanon. Tennessee, and eventually graduated from the law department of that institution. He became one of the noted lawyers of the state of his adoption and was eireuit judge from 1879 to 1884, in which high position he won universal honor and admiration. He died in May, 1905, at the age of sixty-nine years, but his devoted wife and six children, two sons and four daughters survive. Mrs. Jaeoway is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and a daughter of Mr. Sam Parks, who established the first wholesale mercantile house in Memphis, Tennessee. He was also mayor of that eity.


Mr. Jaeoway, of this review, passed his childhood and youth in Dardanelle and obtained his earlier education in the public schools, be- ing graduated from their higher department. He later matrienlated in Winehester College, Winchester. Tennessee, from which institution he was graduated.


When it came to choosing a vocation he eoneluded to follow in the parental footsteps and his professional education was acquired at Van- derbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, and he was graduated from the law department of that institution with the class of 1898, as valedie- torian of his elass. The Hon. J. M. Diekinson, late seeretary of war was at that time a member of the faculty.


Prepared for his life work, Mr. Jaeoway began his practice in the eity in which his interests were eentred and which was the scene of the roseate days of early youth. Recognition was very soon accorded him and an unusual honor was bestowed upon him during the administra- tion of President Cleveland. When that gentleman appointed the com- mission to negotiate with the Five Civilized Tribes for the abolishment of tribal relation. Mr. Jaeoway was included and was chosen seeretary of the commission, and served until the election of President MeKinley, when he left the service. When the Hon. C. C. Reid was eleeted to Congress in 1900 Mr. Jaeoway beeame his seeretary and he thus heeame familiar with affairs in the National Capitol, to which he was to return a decade later in a higher capacity. After retiring a few years later from this position he resumed the practice of the law at his home in Yell county and in 1904 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the Fifth Judicial Distriet. He held this office for four years and as its incumbent brought all his powers into play for it was his to cope with


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some of the ablest bars in the state. His experience in publie affairs is somewhat unusual for a man of his age and eminently qualifies him for the efficient discharge of the duties of the office to which he now aspires. His duties while on the Dawes commission and as private secretary to Congressman Reid afforded him unusual opportunity to master and familiarize himself with the affairs pertaining to the Federal govern- ment and to acquire an acquaintance with public officials and depart- mental regulations at Washington not ordinarily possessed upon enter- ing the office of representative in Congress.


The benefits for which the Hon. Mr. Jacoway will put forth vigor- ous and enlightened effort in the halls of Congress are those nearest the hearts and interests of his constituents, good altruistie causes, with dis- advantage towards none, with benefit to all. He defined these aspira- tions shortly previous to his election and they are here appended from the columns of a local publication. "Mr. Jaeoway stated that he would devote himself to sueh legislation as would tend strongest to the up- building of the agricultural interests of the community. Arkansas. he stated, is principally an agrienltural state, and agricultural education, education in the industrial arts, good roads, and facilities for trans- portation equal to those of our neighbors, will make us one of the great- est commonwealths on earth. He is in favor of the extension of the rural free delivery service, governmental aid to agricultural schools, and publie roads, the improvement of our rivers and a fuller recogni- tion of the rights of organized labor." Mr. Jacoway made his campaign upon broad grounds and appeals to no particular class, insisting that no man who proposes to represent the whole people has a right to claim any particular class as his political asset.


The Hon. Mr. Jaeoway established an independent household by his marriage, on September 19, 1907, to Miss Margaret Cooper, of Beaumont, Texas, at which plaee their vows were exchanged. Mrs. Jaeoway is a daughter of Honorable and Mrs. S. B. Cooper, of Beau- mont, Texas. Their union has been blessed by the birth of a son, named Bronson Cooper Jacoway. Their home in Dardanelle is a popular one and the scene of refined and gracious hospitality.


The subject takes no small amount of pleasure in his lodge rela- tions, which extend to a quartet of organizations, namely, the Masonie (he is a Royal Areh Mason) ; the Knights of Pythias; the Order of United Workmen; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Wood- men of the World. In his veins flows plenty of fighting blood, several of his ancestors having seen service in the earlier wars, while no less than eight of his uneles were soldiers in the Confederate army at the time of the affair between the states, -a record presumably equalled in few quarters.


WILLIAM C. DUNAWAY, M. D. Other men's serviees to the people and the state can be measured by definite deeds, by dangers averted, by legislation seenred. by institutions built, by commerce promoted. The work of a doctor is entirely estranged from these lines of enterprise yet without his capable, health-giving assistanee all other accomplish- ment would eount for naught. Man's greatest treasure is physical health and vigor; nothing stagnates mental activity so quiekly as pro- longed siekness-henee the broad field for human helpfulness afforded in the medieal profession. The snecessful doctor requires something more, however, than mere teehnieal training,-he must he a man of broad human sympathy and genial kindliness, capable of inspiring hope and faith in the heart of his patient. Such a man is he whose name


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initiates this article and he is interested not alone in the alleviation of human suffering but he also takes an active part in the educational work of his profession, occupying at the present time the chair of gynecology, in the medical department of the University of Arkansas.


Dr. William C. Dunaway was born on his father's farm in Faulkner county, this state, in October, 1866, and he is a son of John and Emily Frances (Blackwood) Dunaway, both of whom are now living at Con- way, Foulkner county. John Dunaway was born in Prairie county, Arkansas, and is a son of Isaiah Dunaway, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Arkansas, coming thence from his native state of South Carolina in 1820. Isaiah Dunaway assisted materially in the upbuild- ing of Prairie county in the early territorial days and he was a man much respected for his sterling integrity and unquestioned honesty. For a number of years John Dunaway maintained his home at Old Austin, Lonoke county.


On the inception of the Civil war he enlisted as a private in the Confederate army, being mustered into service as a member of Com- pany I, Tenth Arkansas Infantry, in Lonoke county. He participated in many of the important battles marking the progress of the war and was badly wounded at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, and again at the battle of Chickamauga. He proved a most gallant and faith- ful soldier and received his honorable discharge at the close of the war, at which time he proceeded to Faulkner county, where he pur- chased a farm with borrowed money and initiated his operations as an agriculturist. Of a nature which thrives under adversity his thrift and industry insured him success from the start and he gradually cleared off his debts and in time acquired a competency. He reared a family of eight children and gave them all the best of educational advantages, his sons all being college graduates, two of them, J. G. and M. E., being prominent lawyers in the capital city of the state.


Dr. Dunaway received his early educational discipline in the com- mon schools of his native county and later supplemented this by a course in the University of Arkansas, at Fayetteville. Later he was matriculated in the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, Ken- tneky, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1890, and from which he received his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately after his graduation he began the practice of his profession at Bowie, Texas, but at the expiration of two years he removed to Little Rock, where he was appointed assistant surgeon in the state insane asylum. He remained inemnhent of this position for two years and he then established himself in private prac- tice in this city and in this connection his snecess has been on a parity with his energy and earnest devotion to the arduous and exacting duties of his profession. He has acquired valuable and extensive property interests in his home city and in 1910 he erected a fine modern apart- ment building on the northwest corner of Center and Ninth streets, the same heing three stories in height and containing abont forty-one apart- ments. This magnificent building is directly in the path of the present expanding business center of Little Rock and here the Doctor maintains his offices.


In connection with his profession the Doctor is a member of the Pulaski County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and, as stated above, he holds the chair of gynecology in the medical department of his alma mater.


Dr. Dimaway was married to Maggie ( MeCord) Hill, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a daughter of Moses A. and Lizzie E. (Liembuerger) Me-


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Cord and her maternal grandparents were numbered among the earliest settlers of Pine Bluff.


GEORGE W. BRUCE. Among the fine old pioneers of Faulkner coun- ty, Arkansas, is Colonel George W. Bruce, who established his home in this section of the state at the time of the founding of the county, Conway being then a mere village. Colonel Bruce was a valiant soldier in the Civil war and he has ever done much to advance the general welfare of the community. He was born at Charleston, South Carolina, on the 30 of October, 1838, and is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Quinn) Bruee, the former of whom was an architect by profession. The Bruce family is of stanch old Scotch stock, the original progenitor in America having come to this country about the year 1750. Mr. Andrew Bruce was summoned to the life eternal in 1841, at which time the Colonel was a child of but three years of age. Soon after the death of her husband Mrs. Bruee removed with her family to Whitfield county, Georgia, loeating on a farm seven miles distant from Dalton, on which estate the family was reared and where the devoted mother now lies buried.


After a good preliminary education Colonel George W. Bruce entered the law offices of Colonel Henry S. Sims, of Catoosa county, Georgia, under whose able preceptorship he made rapid progress in his absorption and assimilation of the law, being admitted to the Georgia bar in October, 1859. He initiated the practice of his profession at Tunnel Hill, Georgia, but he was not destined to continue long in practice as Civil war was soon precipitated upon a divided nation. In April, 1861, he enlisted, at Dalton, Georgia, in Company H. Second Georgia Infantry, of the Confederate army, and for one year he was in active service from Georgia to Virginia, including the second battle of Manassas. He then went to the Gulf of Mexico and a short time there- after enlisted in the First Confederate Regiment, at Mobile. In this regiment he served in the Army of Tennessee; participated in the battle of Murfreesboro and other important conflicts: and was captured while in Hood's army, on the way to Nashville and confined in Hospital prison at Lonisville, Kentucky, until the close of the war. He was lieu- tenant of his company during the latter part of his active service, as well as in the Second Georgia Regiment.


After the close of the war Colonel Bruce practiced law in Catoosa eounty, Georgia, until 1868, when he located at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Later he established his residence at Memphis and while there became associated with parties who were building the old Memphis & Little Roek Railroad, from Memphis to Forrest City. In 1872 he established his home in Little Rock and on the 13th of April. 1873, the day after Faulkner county was organized he located at Conway, the judicial center of the county, this place being then a mere hamlet. Colonel Bruce recorded the first deed in the county and tried the first murder case. He has ever since been a leading figure in the affairs of the town and eounty, to whose welfare he has contributed in generons measure and he has gained precedenee as one of the ablest attorneys at the bar of the state. He has ever been eminently sneeessful in the practice of his profession in connection with which he has defended a large number of murder eases, never having had a defendant hanged. Besides his law practice he has other important business interests, heing the owner of much valuable real-estate holdings in and adjacent to Conway. The Colonel is a strong and influential citizen of the fine traditional southern type, and in all the relations of life he has been just and loyal to duty.


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Colonel Bruce retains a deep and abiding interest in his old com- rades in arms and signifies the same by membership in the United Con- federate Veterans' Association. He is colonel on the staff of General James F. Smith, commander of the Arkansas Division, United Con- federate Veterans, and is also colonel on the staff of General K. M. Van Zandt, of the Trans-Mississippi department. He was honored with the office of chairman of the committee on credentials at the annual reunion of the veterans at Mobile. in 1910. Colonel Bruce is a prominent mem- ber of the Baptist church, to whose charities and benevolences he has been a generous contributor. He and Mrs. Bruce were pioneers in the temperanee movement, with which they have been connected for a num- ber of years. In polities he aceords a stalwart allegiance to the princi- ples and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor and he has ever done all in his power to advance the good of the community.


On the 10th of January, 1860. Colonel Bruee was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah S. McClain, of Catoosa county, Georgia, in which section she was reared and educated. To this union have been born seven children, namely,-Mrs. Carrie E. Cox, of Little Rock. Arkansas : Mrs. Lulu Woodruff, of Rome, Georgia: Mrs. Anna Gibson, of Tex- arkana. Arkansas: Edward Bruce, who is engaged in real estate, at Seattle, Washington; Roy Bruce, a resident of Conway, where he is identified with the law firm of Bruce & Bruce; Mrs. Madie Martin Harvey, of Clifton Forge, Virginia : and Miss Daisy Bruce, who resides at home.


JAMES T. MCCARTHEY. Numbered among the substantial and popu- lar business men of Arkansas's capital city is James T. McCarthey, who eonduets a large and prosperous enterprise as a railroad and gen- eral contractor. He was born in Little Rock, in 1872, and is a son of John H. and Ellen (Monahan) McCarthey. His father, who is a native of Pennsylvania, has been a successful railroad contractor for many years and has been identified with some of the largest railroad-construc- tion enterprises in the western states. He established a home in Little Rock in 1870 and became a contractor in connection with the construc- tion of the Cairo & Fulton railroad, now known as the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern railroad. This represented the first important railroad enterprise in Arkansas and the line has had great influence in connection with the development and upbuilding of the state. John H. MeCarthey was also prominently concerned with the construction of the Little Rock & Fort Smith railroad. the Choctaw railroad, west from Little Rock through Oklahoma, this road being now a part of the Roek Island system. He has also been a contractor on the Denver & Rio Grande railroad. the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, the later extensions of the Missouri Pacific railroad, the Pacific coast extension of the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and with work on the Mexican Central railroad, besides which he had held large eontraets in connection with other railroad work in Mexico. He and his wife still maintain their home in Little Rock and are numbered among its well known and high- ly esteemed citizens. They have seven children. - James T., the im- mediate subject of this review, John H., Jr., Mrs. Christian Ledwidge, Miss Margaret, Mrs. Ira Oglesby, Mrs. Frank Stitt and Mrs. Zebulon Ward.




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